Earth retaining and geo-grid wall system

ABSTRACT

The instant invention relates to an earth retaining wall system, definable with reference to an x,y,z Cartesian coordinate system, for stabilizing an earthen wall, the system comprising a y-axis footing having an x-axis width, the footing embedded within the earth along a y-z plane at a base of an earthen mass to be retained by the system, the footing having a flat xy upper surface thereof; and upon the upper surface of the footing, a retaining wall comprising a multiplicity of courses of constructional blocks, each block thereof defining a generally solid rectangular exterior configuration, an x-axis thereof defining a width axis of the wall, a y-axis thereof defining a segment of a length of the wall, and a z-axis thereof defining a segment of a height of the wall, in which one xz end surface of each block comprises a positive y-axis deep key geometry and each opposing xz end surface thereof comprises a negative y-axis deep key geometry complementally interlockable to a part of a substantially planar xy geo-grid positioned within at least one xy plane between the retaining wall and the earthen mass to be retained, a y-axis edge of the geo-grid rigidly secured between opposing surfaces of y-axis courses of blocks of the retaining wall, in which elements of the grid near to the y-axis edge thereof define x and y axes separations proportioned for complemental interposition between successive z-axis recesses and interlocking blocks of opposing z-axis courses, whereby securing the y-axis edge of the geo-grid is secured between adjacent z-axis courses of blocks of the retaining wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The instant application reflects an improvement of my U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,222,836 and 5,372,461, both entitled Passive Resistive RetainingWall Structure and, as well, is related to my U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,330(2000) entitled Constructional Components For Use In A Wall System, andabove referenced related pending applications. This invention relates toan earth retaining system and, specifically to structures whichfacilitate the construction of a retaining wall using special-purposebuilding blocks inclusive of those taught in my said U.S. Pat. No.6,105,330 (2000).

[0002] It has, in the art, been known to use flexible mechanical soilstabilizing grids or sheets, occasionally termed geo-grids, incombination with a retaining block wall system, as is reflected in U.S.Pat. No. 4.914,876 (1990) to Forsberg; U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,288 (1992) toBorcherdt, U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,097 (1998) to Martin; U.S. Pat. No.6,086,288 (2000) to Ruel et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,662 (2002) toScales et al.

[0003] Notwithstanding such art, cost-effective and reliable earthretaining wall block system, in combination with geo-grids, has notemerged. The instant invention is therefore directed to a novel,cost-effective, and simple-to-utilize earth retaining wall block systemwhich uses flexible geo-grids or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The instant invention relates to an earth retaining wall system,definable with reference to an x,y,z Cartesian coordinate system, forstabilizing an earthen wall, said system comprising a y-axis footinghaving an x-axis width, said footing embedded within the earth along ay-z plane at a base of an earthen mass to be retained by said system,said footing having a flat xy upper surface thereof; and upon said uppersurface of said footing, a retaining wall comprising a multiplicity ofcourses of constructional blocks, each block thereof defining agenerally solid rectangular exterior configuration, an x-axis thereofdefining a width axis of said wall, a y-axis thereof defining a segmentof a length of said wall, and a z-axis thereof defining a segment of aheight of said wall, in which one xz end surface of each block comprisesa positive y-axis deep key geometry and each opposing xz end surfacethereof comprises a negative y-axis deep key geometry complementallyinterlockable to a part of a substantially planar xy geo-grid positionedwithin at least one xy plane between said retaining wall and saidearthen mass to be retained, a y-axis edge of said geo-grid rigidlysecured between opposing surfaces of y-axis courses of blocks of saidretaining wall, in which elements of said grid near to said y-axis edgethereof define x and y axes separations proportioned for complementalinterposition between successive z-axis recesses and interlocking blocksof opposing z-axis courses, whereby securing said y-axis edge of saidgeo-grid is secured between adjacent z-axis courses of blocks of saidretaining wall.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a three-dimensionalstructure for the stabilization of a mass of earth to be retained toreduce the wall thickness and height necessary to retain a given volumeof earth.

[0006] It is another object to provide an earth retaining wall systemutilizing geo-grids as well as the mechanical principles of passiveresistance.

[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a retainingwall system which may be constructed or assembled at the work site froma plurality or modular components.

[0008] It is a yet further object to provide a simple, economical andeffective means of constructing an earth retaining wall from concretebuilding blocks.

[0009] It is a yet further object to provide an invention of the abovetype which can readily anchor a block wall to backfill and earth volumesof a variety of sizes and geometries.

[0010] It is a further object to provide a mortarless, self-anchoringretaining system using geo-grids.

[0011] The above any yet other objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth BriefDescription of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention andClaims appended herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the inventive system.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a side vertical cross-sectional view of the inventivesystem in an xz plane thereof.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the system taken along a xyplane thereof.

[0015]FIG. 4 is an enlargement of the retaining wall, shown in FIG. 3,particularly reflecting the complemental connection between a y-axisedge of a geo-grid and the blocks of the retaining wall.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view, similar to that of FIG.2, however showing the use of geo-grids of different x-axis lengths.

[0017]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a constructional block used in theretaining wall of the instant invention.

[0018]FIGS. 7 and 8 are respective top and bottom plan views of theblock of FIG. 6.

[0019]FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along Line 9-9 ofFIG. 6,

[0020]FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through Line10-10 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] With reference to the isometric view of FIG. 1, the instantinvention may be described with reference to an x,y,z Cartesiancoordinate system. Therein, the system may be seen to include a y-axisfooting 20 having an x-axis width and a z-axis height, a part of whichis embedded within earth 22. An earthen mass 26 is indicated to theright of FIG. 1. Footing 20 includes a flat xy upper surface 28 thereof.

[0022] Upon said upper surface of footing 20 is a retaining wall 30 (seealso FIG. 2) which comprises a multiplicity of courses 32 ofconstructional blocks 34, each block thereof defining a generally solidrectangular exterior configuration, an x-axis thereof defining a widthaxis of said 30, a y-axis thereof defining thereof a segment of a lengthof said wall, an a z-axis thereof defining a segment of a height of saidwall 30.

[0023] As may be noted in FIGS. 6 thru 10, one xz end surface 36comprises a positive y-axis deep key geometry and each opposing xz endsurface 38 of block 34 comprises a negative y-axis deep key geometry,complementally interlockable in said positive y-axis deep key geometry36.

[0024] Further, in a preferred embodiment, blocks 34 will include malemembers 40 projecting from lower xy surfaces 42 which are complementalto female recesses 44 within upper xy surface 46 of the block. Thereby,z-axis projections 40 will complementally interlock lower ledge 58 toupper ledge 48, thereby effecting deep key interlocks 36/38 within they-axis and 40/48 within the z-axis of the system.

[0025] Between one or more xy interfaces 50 (see FIGS. 2 and 5) are ageo-grids 52 having a y-region having a matrix-like structure (see FIGS.3 and 4) which is complemental to said projecting male elements 40 ofthe blocks 34 which form said courses 30 of the retaining wall.Accordingly, when region 54 of grid 52 is placed upon xy upper surface46 of a block 34, z-axis male member 40 of the z-axis abutting block maybe placed thereon enabling lower xy surface 42 (see FIGS. 8 to 10) toabut thereagainst, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Accordingly, it shouldbe understood that constituent matrix elements 60 of geo-grids 52 are,in the instant invention, proportioned for complemental securementbetween xy surfaces 48 and 58 of blocks 34.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown variable x-axis lengthsof geo-grids 52 which may be employed. It should be further understoodthat grids 52 may include a variety of materials ranging from a flexiblepolymeric material to a thin gauge steel rebar.

[0027] While there has been shown and described the preferred embodimentof the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention maybe embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and describedand that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in theform and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlyingideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claimsappended herewith.

1. A retaining wall system, definable with reference to an x, y, zCartesian coordinate system, for stabilizing an earthen wall, saidsystem comprising: (a) a y-axis footing having an x-axis width, saidfooting embedded within the earth along a y-z plane at a base of anearthen mass to be retained by said system, said footing having a flatxy upper surface thereof; and (b) upon said upper surface of saidfooting, a retaining wall comprising a multiplicity of courses ofconstructional blocks, each block thereof defining a generally solidrectangular exterior configuration, an x-axis thereof defining a widthaxis of said wall, a y-axis thereof defining a segment of a length ofsaid wall, and a z-axis thereof defining a segment of a height of saidwall, in which one xz end surface of each block comprises a positivey-axis deep key geometry and each opposing xz end surface thereofcomprises a negative y-axis deep key geometry complementallyinterlockable within xy grids a substantially planar xy geo-gridpositioned within at least one xy plane between said retaining wall andsaid earthen mass to be retained, a y-axis portion of said geogridrigidly secured between opposing surfaces of y-axis courses of blocks ofsaid retaining wall, in which elements of said geo-grid near to saidy-axis edge thereof define said xy grids and are proportioned forcomplemental interposition about successive z-axis and male members ofInterlocking blocks of opposing z-axis courses, whereby securing saidy-axis portion of said geo-grid is secured between adjacent z-axiscourses of blocks of said retaining wall.
 2. The system as recited inclaim 1, further comprising: mortar placed between opposing xy surfacesof said blocks, thereby providing a substantially rigid and loadresistant interlock of each geo-grid between vertically contiguouscourses of said blocks when joined together as components of saidretaining wall system.
 3. The system as recited in claim 2, in which: az-axis length of each of said male members of said lower xy surface ofeach block exceeds a z-axis depth of contiguous xy surface recesses of avertically contiguous course to thereby provide space for insertion ofsaid mortar between opposing xy surfaces of blocks of said courses ofsaid retaining wall,
 4. The system as recited in claim 2, in which: ay-axis length of said positive y-axis deep key geometry exceeds a y-axisdepth of said negative deep key geometry, thereby providing space forthe insertion of mortar between opposing xz brick surfaces within agiven course of said retaining wall.
 5. The system as recited in claim4, in which each of said deep key geometries each comprise a trapezoidalstructure.